Running Start

Get ahead on your college experience while in high school and ease the transition to future education and career opportunities! FVCC’s Running Start program provides eligible high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to get an affordable start on their education by earning college credits while still in high school.

The first six credits are tuition FREE for Montana students, and subsequent courses are offered at 50% of in-district tuition costs. Courses numbered 100 and above are eligible for Running Start.

Tuition & Fees
Academic Calendar
Courses at FVCC and online
Courses at your High School
Summer Experience

Steps to Apply to Running Start

Apply online to FVCC.

Homeschool students must submit a high school transcript. If taking 6 or more credits, please submit a copy of your health records: immunization records demonstrating proof you have two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), or a religious or medical exemption.

Visit Placement Testing for more information. Your application for admissions must be submitted and processed prior to taking placement tests.

All Running Start students must take the reading and writing placement tests available online. If you’re interested in registering for a math or chemistry class, you also need to take the math and/or chemistry placement tests. If you have taken the ACT test, you may not be required to take the placement test.

Directions to access reading and writing placement tests.

After completing your placement tests, email us at runningstart@fvcc.edu to arrange a time to meet with a FVCC Running Start advisor to discuss course options and finalize paperwork.

Make sure to seek advice from your high school counselor regarding course applicability and high school credit equivalency.

Complete the Running Start Registration Form and return it to your Running Start advisor.

Complete an Information Release Authorization form and return it to the Admissions Office.

Running Start has propelled me to be able to start at a university sooner and given me some opportunities I wouldn't have had. I hope to be an astronaut. I'm headed to the UCF to study aerospace engineering and minor in dance.

Payton Kallenberger

Associate of Arts and Associate of Science

I started with a Running Start class my senior year at Columbia Falls High School—just the intro to welding course. I loved it. My brother’s an ironworker in Spokane, and I used to weld with him in our dad’s garage. That’s where it really clicked for me. I followed that interest here to FVCC and just finished the program.

Haily Mundel

Welding Student, Class of 2025

Summer 2026

Session A: 1st 5 weeksSession B: 2nd 5 weeksSession C: Full semester
Session DatesMay 26-June 26June 15- August 7May 26-July 31
End of 100% refund and last day to drop without a “W” grade June 2 June 22 June 9
Last day to withdraw from classes or request/rescind an audit grade June 18 July 23 July 14

Fall 2026 - Registration begins May 6

Session A: 1st 8 weeksSession B: 2nd 8 weeksSession C: Full semester
Session DatesAugust 24-October 14October 15-December 4August 24-December 11
End of 100% refund and last day to drop without a “W” grade September 1 October 23 September 14
Last day to withdraw from classes or request/rescind an audit grade October 2 November 23 November 10

FAQ

When you complete a class with Running Start, FVCC generates a college transcript and you earn college credit. Talk with your high school counselor about earning high school credit. Dual enrollment (Running Start) means that a student is enrolled in high school and college at the same time. Concurrent enrollment courses are FVCC courses taught within the high schools—usually for dual credit (college and high school credit). FVCC is an accredited college, so credits transfer seamlessly to colleges and universities across the nation. If you plan to go out-of-state, the college you are applying for will determine which credits transfer. There is no limit on the number of courses you can take through Running Start but it is important to maintain a balance of classes with other obligations and avoid overloading yourself with too many classes. Yes. Homeschool students must provide their high school transcript. If registering for more than five credits in a single semester, proof of two MMR immunizations or a notarized religious exemption is required. Running Start students have access to all FVCC student services available on campus.

Meet The Team

Beth Romain

Dean of Student Outreach and Admissions

Shelley Eberhardy

Running Start Coordinator, Sr

Heather Knutson

Academic Coordinator, Running Start

Email us with any questions or for more information.

Email Us